Towards a New Vision of Learning in the Public Service

Learning within organisations tends to be organisationally driven,subject oriented and focused on content acquisition. Formal courses reflecting traditional student/teacher roles tend to be the norm. Adult learning theory suggests adult learners are self‐directing, problem centred and bring a variety of experience to the learning situation. These characteristics provide a foundation for an alternative approach to both learning in groups and the management of individual learning within the organisational context. The strategic approach to learner centred development is suggested as a method of facilitating and supporting individual development and integrating organisationally‐driven learning needs into an individual learning strategy. Recommendations relative to learning within the public service are included.